Flooding, fire cautions as cold front falls
AS FLOOD warnings were issued due to heavy rains expected today, residents of informal settlements have been reminded of the fire risk posed by sources of heat.
The City’s disaster risk management spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, said they had received a weather warning from the SA Weather Service.
AS FLOOD warnings were issued due to heavy rains expected today, residents of informal settlements have been reminded of the fire risk posed by sources of heat.
The City’s disaster risk management spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, said they had received a weather warning from the SA Weather Service.
“Rain and showers with heavy downpours are possible over the Overberg District and City of Cape Town today. Urban areas could be affected with localised damage due to heavy rain leading to flash flooding. Heavy downpours are expected to be more intense during the course of late morning into the afternoon.
“The impact of these heavy downpours could lead to localised flooding in informal settlements, roads and lowlying areas and bridges. Minor motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and localised mudslides and rock-falls could occur.
“City services will be on standby to deal with these adverse weather conditions and we encourage members of the public to report any incidents,” Powell said.
“The cold front will make landfall overnight (last night), resulting in a few light showers.
“A high pressure system behind this cold front will push moisture from the south-west during the course of (this morning).
“This will result in further rainfall over the Cape Metropole, Overberg and Cape Winelands – basically the south-western parts of the Western Cape province – spreading to the Cape south coast in the evening.
“The SA Weather Service has issued an alert for heavy rain leading to flash flooding in places in the Cape Metropole and the Overberg District (today),” it said.
The weather service also warned of a drop in temperatures.
“Cold temperatures (17°C and below) are expected (today) in the south-western parts of the province and cool in the West Coast District and the Eden District.
However, a lack of rain and higher temperatures because of the drought may have contributed to a lower incidence of shack fires, which could change as temperatures drop.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said there had been a massive reduction of residential fires over the fire season.
“We had a presentation shown to us and we can report that their has been a massive reduction in fires ,” he said.
The World Health Organisation said over 96% of all fire-related deaths occur in low- to middle-income countries, with burns estimated to account for 180 000 deaths globally every year. Annually over a million people in Africa are affected by a burn-related injury, while globally 18% of hospital admissions were a result of burn injuries.
Yesterday the Khusela Ikhaya Project reached its target to paint 75 homes in Bonteheuwel to make them fireproof.
“The Bonteheuwel project is a first for us as we have mainly focused on informal settlements and not ‘backyarders’. Bonteheuwel has as many as 3 500 ‘backyarders’ and has a history of fire outbreaks – particularly in backyards containing ‘cluster dwellings’.
“It is here that we aim to make a difference with the assistance of funding,” founder of the project Ashley Stemmett said.